Aggressive driving has become an increasingly serious problem throughout Georgia. This type of reckless driving results in hundreds of car accidents each year and The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that one-third of traffic crashes and two-thirds of traffic crash deaths can be attributed to aggressive driving.

According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, over 600 car wreck fatalities can be attributed to one or more aggressive driving behaviors each year. With 33% of these fatalities occurring in and around Atlanta, this equals nearly 2 deaths per day in auto accidents – all because of aggressive driving.

What Are Georgia’s Laws On Aggressive Driving?

Georgia’s law addresses the act of driving aggressively as “the intent to annoy, harass, intimidate, injure or obstruct another person, while doing one or more of the following: overtaking and passing another vehicle; violating traffic lane markings; following too closely; violating signal, lane change, slowing or stopping laws; impeding traffic flows; reckless driving.” It is actually considered an unlawful act according to Georgia Code §40-6-397.

What Are Common Signs of an Aggressive Driver?

Some examples of aggressive driving behaviors may include:

  • Speeding
  • Running stop signs and lights
  • Frequent, unnecessary lane changes
  • Failure to use proper signals
  • Abrupt maneuvers
  • Quick acceleration
  • Slamming brakes
  • Following too closely
  • Cutting off other vehicles
  • Failure to yield
  • Improper passing
  • Failure to obey railroad grade crossing
  • Failure to stop for a school bus
  • Cursing, yelling, or gesturing at other drivers
  • Honking horn
  • Flashing headlights

What Do I Do If I’m Confronted by an Aggressive Driver?

Even if you are a very careful driver, you cannot completely avoid aggressive drivers. You need to pay attention to those around you and react appropriately if you are confronted by an aggressive driver. First of all, you need to stay calm. Don’t let their dangerous behaviors and taunting cause you to react.

Instead, you should do the following:

  • Move out of danger. If possible, stay or move out of the way and let the aggressive driver pass or merge.
  • Swallow your pride. This is not a win or lose situation. Do not challenge the other driver by trying to hold your place in lane or speeding to keep up with them. If you do not allow the other driver to pass or merge, you could both lose much more than your pride.
  • Take note of the other vehicle’s description. If you are able to safely do so, take note of the other vehicle’s information, such as make, model, color, and license plate number, as well as the location and direction or travel.
  • Report aggressive drivers. Once you are no longer in danger, you should contact local authorities to report the dangerous driving behavior. Do not try to confront the other driver.

Let Our Top-Rated Atlanta Injury Lawyers Come to Your Aid

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in an accident due to another driver’s aggressive driving behaviors, contact The Kalka Law Group. An Atlanta accident lawyer can answer any questions you may have.

We offer free initial consultations – call today to discover if you have a case.